Fretplay.com Tom Waits CD reviews Tom Waits guitar tabs Tom Waits CD reviews Tom Waits tabs Big Time


Tom Waits - Big Time Audio CD

A fair review of the Tom Waits "Big Time" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Tom Waits reviews here, or go back to the Tom Waits tabs.

Tom Waits Band: Tom Waits
Title: Big Time
Rating:
Release Date: 1990-06-15
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: 16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought-Six 2: Red Shoes 3: Underground 4: Cold Cold Ground 5: Straight to the Top 6: Yesterday Is Here 7: Way Down in the Hole 8: Falling Down 9: Strange Weather 10: Big Black Mariah 11: Rain Dogs 12: Train Song 13: Johnsburg, Illinois 14: Ruby's Arms 15: Telephone Call from Istanbul 16: Clap Hands 17: Gun Street Girl 18: Time

A must have for fans of the (80s) "Wild Years" albums.
If you like Tom's work from the 80's (Swordfishtrombone, Rain Dogs, and Frank's wild Years) you're going to love listening to the way he plays them live. My first exposure to Tom Waits was the Night on Earth soundtrack and then Rain Dogs which remains my favorite album of all time. Some of them are completely different but still unmistakably Tom.
The only unfortunate part of Big Time is that the companion video is unavailable in any format. You may be able to find an old VHS tape of the strange collection of live performances and various skits but it's time they re-released it on DVD. I don't know who has the rights but something needs to be done to bring that amazing movie back to the public.

Until then, put this on, set your umbrella on fire, and enjoy.


Great Album
One of the best (if not the best) live album you will ever listen to.


One of the best!
This Tom Waits album was the first I ever heard and I still think it's the best.


An alternative look at some alternative songs
The mad genius that goes behind his music is so deep, so broad, that any lesser musician who attempts to dissect the material (or, God forbid, make it their own) is stepping into a pool of quicksand. Really, only Tom Waits could re-invent a Tom Waits tune.

Therefore, "Big Time" is an album only Tom Waits could do. To be true, these songs weren't meant to be performed live, and most lose something in translation to the stage. However, they are still good ol' tunes about. . . um, well, we're not quite sure what they're about. The wayward soul anthem "Train Song" is prefaced by a Civil War love story (of a violent, bloody, head-cocking sort). The Christian-themed "Way Down In the Hole" features an all-too-devilish rasp. And "16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six" is simply bada**, if I may coin a phrase. These 18 tunes are probably not Waits' best-to-date, but what the hell--they're ecclectic enough to make you listen repeatedly for a meaning that probably isn't there in the first place. And somewhere along the way, you're almost bound to lose your sanity.


Unsurpassable.

In fact this is my favourite album of all time. I absolutely love Tom Waits and in my opinion this is the greatest single body of work he has ever produced, bar none.
It doesn't matter if you are a fan or not this is an essential addition to you record collection.


You can see a complete list of all Tom Waits discography, or go back to the Tom Waits tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

Search guitar tabs

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
[ Search tabs | Guitar tabs | Bass tabs |
Easy guitar tabs | Guitar solo tabs |
Acoustic guitar tabs | Guitar chords |
How to read guitar tabs ]
Forum topics
Music forums
- Bands and artists - Songwriting and lyrics - Tablature talk - Promote your band
Instrument forums
- Guitar basics - Gear & accessories - Bass guitar
Community
- The pit - Site Feedback - Reviews
[ User survey | About us | Privacy statement ]